The mission of the Johrei Fellowship is to help create a better world for everyone by raising people’s spiritual vibrations. The ultimate goal is Paradise on Earth, in which disease, conflict, and poverty will disappear and a world of truth, virtue, and beauty will come into being in balance with material civilization.

Kanji for "light"

Johrei is the Japanese word meaning “purification of the spiritual body.” According to their literature, “the invisible Light of God, focused through Johrei, reaches the inner soul and transforms it.” This can help even skeptics and is done without touching. Sessions in which Johrei ministers or trained volunteers focus their spiritual energy can last about 20 minutes and begins/ends with a prayer.

I only recently heard about the Tucson Johrei Center, so I attended their 2nd Sunday of the month appreciation service at 10:30 a.m. today. It was like other religious/spiritual services with opening music (but in this case it was a taiko drum and then a violin), followed by three offerings of tea cups, vegetables, fruits, followed by an “Amatsu Norito” chant/prayer of heaven in Japanese by Rev. Gerry Nangle.

Then the elder Rev. Henry Ajiki read the “Prayer for Paradise on Earth”, addressing the God of Light by saying that “All of nature receives your loving influence and finds its rightful place… All people are united, encircled by Your Light and guided by Your wisdom.”

In the middle of the service Rev. Nangle stood up facing the congregation and lifted her right hand and directed it slowly to all the members & guests – in a group Johrei session. Later she read from Cathy Ginter’s works (Safe Harbor Center for Spiritual Healing) and said that we need to all “ponder the expanse of Oneness” and that “everything we are is in our vibrations.”

Johrei Fellowshp was founded in 1935 in Japan by Mokichi Okada (1882-1955) aka Meishu-sama, a Japanese philosopher, spiritual leader, poet, artist & businessman/humanitarian.

More info on their website, www.tucsonjohrei.org. The Tucson Johrei Center is located in the lovely Catalina Foothills at 3919 E. River Rd. (NE corner of Alvernon),
phone 520-299-5670. They are also collecting $ for the Japan Disaster Relief efforts and have raised $13,000 so far. Email is johreituc@comcast.net.

Their classes include Sangetsu (Japanese flower arranging) based on Meishu-sama’s philosophy that “you can raise your spiritual vibrations by cultivating an appreciation for art and beauty” in your daily life. These classes plus ones in beginning/advanced/esoteric teachings of Johrei are for fee or donation. This afternoon they were hosting a Sangetsu Exhibition (click here for Az Daily Star article with photos of the beautiful ikebana flower arrangements).

So if you are feeling overwhelmed by your “spiritual clouds” — negative thoughts, words & deeds and toxins in your body — give Johrei a try to seek some spiritual harmony. As the founder Meishu-sama stated “The key to the solution of all problems whether they concern an individual, a nation or the world is Makoto, love.” (January 25, 1949)

The next free 2nd Sunday appreciation service is scheduled for May 8, in honor of ancestors, at 10:30 a.m. followed by a pot luck. Everyone is welcome.